Skip to content

Appendix B - Memory performance of MicroView under 32-bit Windows

MicroView memory performance can be improved by running under certain version of Windows operating systems, where the large memory aware boot option is available. Windows XP Professional and Windows 2003 versions both support this boot option. The method for increasing available memory for MicroView involves modification of the file C:\boot.ini to add "/3GB /PAE" to the boot line:

  • Log on as a user with Administrative privileges
  • Select Start → Settings → Control Panel → System → Advanced → (Startup and Recovery) Settings, then click the Edit button.
  • Duplicate the first line under [operating systems]
  • Change the name of the new entry (the text between quotes), then add a "/3GB /PAE" switch at the end of the line.

  • Save and Exit. The file should look something like the following:

    \[boot loader]
timeout=5
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\\WINNT
\[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\\WINNT="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\\WINNT="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /fastdetect /3GB /PAE

  • Reboot your computer. As your computer boots, a screen will be displayed giving you the choice of selecting between different boot options. Select the new boot option corresponding to the name you entered in C:\boot.ini. Once the computer finishes booting, you will be able to take advantage of up to 3GB of virtual memory in each instance of MicroView, rather than the default of 2GB.

Comments